Campaigners in the city of Bath are ramping up efforts to urge the local council to take a stand and call for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Despite repeated protests and appeals from various local organizations and individuals, attempts to table a cross-party motion on the matter have failed to gain traction.
At a recent full meeting of Bath and North East Somerset Council, a spokesperson for the Bath Campaigns Network and other local organizations, Nicola James, implored the council to fulfill its “moral responsibility to speak out” on the conflict. James emphasized the devastating civilian death toll in Gaza, particularly affecting children and the urgent need for medical attention and humanitarian support. She called on councillors to endorse a letter advocating for a permanent ceasefire, citing the council’s past actions in response to global crises.
Supporting the call for action were several organizations, including Bath Trades Union Council, Bath Friends of Palestine, Bath Stop War, and Rethinking Security BANES. However, a proposed cross-party “peace motion” encountered resistance, as only the Labour group showed interest in supporting it, leaving it unable to proceed without broader backing.
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Representative Joanna Wright of the Green group expressed disappointment at the lack of consensus, highlighting the significance of the council’s unified voice in addressing international conflicts. She drew parallels to the council’s previous solidarity actions, such as those in response to the climate emergency and the Ukraine crisis.
The motion sought to emphasize solidarity with all affected individuals in Israel and Palestine and underscore the importance of Article 9 of the Human Rights Act, pertaining to the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion.
The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began in October, has seen significant loss of life and escalating tensions. While a temporary ceasefire briefly offered a glimmer of hope, it was short-lived, signaling the urgent need for sustained efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region.